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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 18, 1998 · Cessna A188B · N4962Q

Crookston, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 18, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Crookston, MN
Aircraft
Cessna A188B
Tail Number
N4962Q
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI98LA162

The pilot reported that he started aerial spraying between 0530 and 0600 CDT that morning and continued spraying until the time of the accident. He departed the airport with another load of chemical but had not refueled. He reported that he was heading for a field at 100 to 150 feet above ground level when the engine quit. He reported, 'I immediately looked for a place to land and had to resort to a muddy field. While maneuvering the airplane stalled. While trying to recover the airplane struck the ground.' The pilot stated in a phone interview, 'I'm sure it ran out of gas.' He reported that airplane had been running well all day and had given no indications of anything going wrong. The pilot also stated, 'Fatigue was a major factor in all circumstances leading to the accident.'

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot inadvertently stalled the airplane. Factors included the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion when the pilot failed to refuel the airplane. Another factor was fatigue.

Full Narrative

On May 17, 1998, at 2015 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, operated by Coauette Aviation, was substantially damaged when it lost engine power during cruise and impacted a field during an emergency landing three miles south of Crookston, Minnesota. The pilot received minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight departed from Fertile Municipal Airport, Fertile, Minnesota, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he had started aerial spraying between 0530 and 0600 CDT that morning and continued spraying until the time of the accident. He departed the Fertile Airport with another load of chemical but had not refueled. He reported that as he was heading for a field at 100 to 150 feet above ground level, the engine quit. He reported, "I immediately looked for a place to land and had to resort to a muddy field. While maneuvering the airplane stalled. While trying to recover the airplane struck the ground." The pilot stated in a phone interview, "I'm sure it ran out of gas." He reported that airplane had been running well all day and had given no indications of anything going wrong. The pilot also stated, "Fatigue was a major factor in all circumstances leading to the accident."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A188B
Tail NumberN4962Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D2B · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind80° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data